nanotechnology

With the byline of "nanobionic plants might one day replace some electrical lighting", MIT scientists had taken the first step towards truly 'organic' lighting. To that end, a group of researchers led by postdoc Seon-Yeong Kwak has successfully embedded particular types of nanoparticles into the leaves of a watercress plant. This experiment resulted in what…

Throughout the history of mankind, people have used the potential and kinetic energy of flowing water to 'fuel' mechanical contrivances, ranging from the rudimentary watermill to massive turbines. One of the primary reasons for such a technological pattern spanning over millennia relates to the intrinsic advantage of flowing water that is independent of other parameters…

An international team of researchers led by scientists at the Australian National University (ANU), have had the honor to exhibit for the first time the "ultra-fast transmission of information" via nano-antenna that had been integrated on to an optical waveguide. Suffice it to say, the technology, currently in its nascent stage, does have the potential…

A team from Oxford University has found a way to exploit the natural movements of bacteria, utilizing them to power microscopic machines, including miniature wind farms for future smartphones. Recently published in the Science Advances journal, the research, scientists believe, could pave the way for an entire generation of self-assembling, micro-sized devices that in turn produce…

Bio-inspired electronics are no longer a thing of the future, with scientists increasingly looking for ways to replicate complex natural processes in the realm of nanotechnology, robotics and other related fields. In the past, for instance, researchers developed high-definition LCD displays by studying the color-changing abilities of squids and octopuses. Previously, a team from Stanford…

Scientists at Canada's University of Montreal have devised an incredibly advanced, programmable DNA thermometer 20,000 times smaller than a single human hair. Recently published in the Nano Letters journal, the breakthrough could enhance our understanding of natural and human-designed nanotechnologies, by allowing researchers to accurately measure temperature in nanoscale. According to the scientists, DNA molecules…

Despite its long list of impressive properties, including remarkable electrical conductivity, flexibility and mechanical strength among others, graphene was until now quite poor at absorbing light. As part of a new research, scientists at UK-based University of Surrey have developed an incredibly innovative technique that greatly enhances the light-absorption abilities of this one-atom-thick wonder material.…

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the substance responsible for providing energy to living cells, is more versatile than one would think, new study reveals. In an recent research, scientists from Canada’s McGill University have successfully managed to power special miniature supercomputers using this chemical compound. The breakthrough, the team believes, could pave the way for a generation…

Nanotechnology’s stupendous growth in recent years has led us to something even more revolutionary: DNA origami. It refers to the highly-specialized technique of DNA folding, as a means to create two- and three-dimensional shapes in nanoscale. Using this technology, a team of scientists has developed what appears to be the smallest rotary engine in the entire…

We have talked at length about both graphene and nanocellulose. But this time around, researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, have created their version of a 'super' metal material. Touted to have a lightweight structure that demonstrates its specifically (very) high strength and modulus, the metal is mostly composed…